• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.192-196
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate good prognostic factors for an acute occlusion of a major cerebral artery using mechanical thrombectomy. Methods : Between January 2013 to December 2014, 37 consecutive patients with acute occlusion of a major cerebral artery treated by mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers were conducted. We analyzed clinical and angiographic factors retrospectively. The collateral flow and the result of recanalization were sorted by grading systems. Outcome was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. We compared the various parameters between good and poor angiographic and clinical results. Results : Twenty seven patients demonstrated good recanalization [Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b or 3] after thrombectomy. At the 90-day follow up, 19 patients had good (mRS, 0-2), 14 had moderate (3-4) and four had poor outcomes (5-6). The mRS of older patients (${\geq}75years$) were poor than younger patients. Early recanalization, high Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score, and low baseline NIHSS were closely related to 90-day mRS, whereas high TICI was related to both mRS and the decrease in the NIHSS. Conclusion : NIHSS decreased markedly only when recanalization was successful. A good mRS was related to low initial NIHSS, good collateral, and early successful recanalization.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2007

Purpose: This study aimed to find any difference in the clinical or the anatomical findings of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) between the trauma and the non-trauma groups. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and radiologic images of VAD patients. We compared data on symptoms, neurologic deficit, National institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) at admission, Rankin score (RS) at admission and discharge, and radiological findings including anatomical features, between the trauma and the non-trauma groups. Results: From January 1997 to May 2006, 42 patients were enrolled and 13 patients (31%) had a history of earlier trauma. Focal neurologic deficit (trauma group 11/13 vs. non-trauma group 11/29), cerebral stroke (10/13 vs. 9/29), and extradural lesions of dissection (6/13 vs. 3/28) were more common in the trauma group than non-trauma group (p=0.007, p=0.017, p=0.018, respectively) and NIHSS at admission and discharge were significantly higher (p=0.012, p=0.001, respectively). Dissecting aneurysms were less frequent in the trauma group (2/13 vs. 19/29, p=0.006). Subarachnoid hemorrhage and unfavorable prognostic value (Rankin score at discharge ${\geq}$ 2) showed no differences between the groups (p=0.540, p=0.267, respectively). Conclusion: In VAD patients after trauma, focal neurologic deficit due to ischemic stroke and a steno-occlusive pattern are more frequent than they are in non-trauma patients. The location of dissection was most frequent at the extradural vertebral artery in the trauma group. NIHSS was higher in the trauma groups but the incidence of an unfavorable prognostic value (RS ${\geq}$ 2) was not significantly different between the groups.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2019

Objective : In patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, collateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow has a protective role against ischemia. However, some of these patients may experience initial major neurological deficits and major worsening on following days. Thus, we investigated the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) for ICA occlusion with collateral MCA flow by comparing clinical outcomes of medical treatment versus EVT. Methods : The inclusion criteria were as follows : 1) acute ischemic stroke with ICA occlusion and presence of collateral MCA flow on transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) and 2) hospital arrival within 12 hours from symptom onset. The treatment strategy was made by the attending physician based on the patient's clinical status and results of TFCA. Results : Eighty-one patients were included (30 medical treatment, 51 EVT). The EVT group revealed a high incidence of intracranial ICA occlusion, longer ipsilesional MCA contrast filling time, and a similar rate of favorable clinical outcome despite a higher mean baseline the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. By binary logistic regression analysis, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and EVT were independent predictors of favorable clinical outcome. In subgroup analysis based on stroke etiology, the non-atherosclerotic group showed a higher baseline NIHSS score, higher incidence of EVT, and a higher rate of distal embolization during EVT in comparison with the atherosclerotic group. Conclusion : In patients with ICA occlusion and collateral MCA flow, decisions regarding treatment strategy based on TFCA can help achieve favorable clinical outcomes. EVT strategy with respect to etiology of ICA occlusion might help achieve better angiographic outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.157-171
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• 2008

Objectives : To report one case of semi-coma patient was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation. Methods : Patient (state of semi-coma) was treated by scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy. The improvement of patient was measured every other week by Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), Modified Bathel Index(MBI), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS). Results : We observed the patient decrease in NIHSS score and increase in GCS and MBI. Symptoms of patient such as semi-coma were improved following the treatment. Conclusions : It is suggested that oriental medical treatment; scalp acupuncture with electric stimulation, herbal medication and physical therapy were effective in semi-coma caused by traumatic brain injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.298-304
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• 2016

Objective: : This clinical study reports on the effect of Sunghyangjungki-san-gami and Banhabaeckchulchunma-tang-gami on hemiplegia, dizziness, and hiccupping caused by pontine infarction.Methods: This study was performed on one patient with hemiplegia, dizziness, and hiccupping caused by pontine infarction. The patient was treated by Sunghyangjungki-san-gami and Banhabaeckchulchunma-tang-gami from 6 January to 2 March 2015. The National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), motor grade, and numerical rating scale (NRS) were used to assess the effectiveness of this treatment.Results: After treatment, the patient’s discomfort decreased significantly, and NIHSS, motor grade, and NRS scores were all improved.Conclusion: This clinical study suggests that traditional Korean medicine may be effective in treating hemiplegia, dizziness, and hiccupping caused by pontine infarction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.786-795
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• 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment (TKM) on a patient with ACA infarction and hemorrhagic transformation with hemiplegia and urinary disturbance. Methods: A patient diagnosed with left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) infarction and hemorrhagic transformation was treated with electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. Results: Improvements in the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), modified Barthel Index (MBI), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), and K-MMSE were observed following the TKM treatment [MMT Gr. (3/0)→Gr. (4+/4+), MBI 20→89, NIHSS 8→2, mRS 5→1, MMSE-K 21→28]. Conclusion: TKM treatment could help improve the symptoms of patients with ACA infarction and hemorrhagic transformation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2017

Objectives: This case study evaluated the effectiveness of Chengsimyeonja-tang-gamibang (Gamicheongsim-tang and Cheongsimsunhwal-tang) in a patient with a pontine hemorrhage and quadriparesis, dysarthria, and dysphagia. Methods: A patient diagnosed with a pontine hemorrhage was treated with Chengsimyeonja-tang-gamibang (Gamicheongsim-tang and Cheongsimsunhwal-tang) acupuncture, and moxibustion. The manual muscle test (MMT), modified Barthel index (MBI), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K), and Articulatory Functional Ability of Achievement Scale were administered. Results: Improvements in the MMT, MBI, NIHSS, mRS, and K-MMSE were observed after the treatment. The MMT grade increased from Rt. 3/3- and Lt. 3/3- pretreatment to Rt. 4/4 and Lt. 4+/4+ post-treatment. The MBI increased from 10 to 50 post-treatment. The NIHSS decreased from 24 to 6 post-treatment, and the mRS fell from 5 to 4 post-treatment. Finally, the MMSE-K increased from 0 to 24 post-treatment. The Articulatory Functional Ability of Achievement Scale also improved. Conclusion: This study shows that Chengsimyeonja-tang-gamibang can be used to treat the symptoms of patients with a pontine hemorrhage.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2012

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the correlations between neurological and psychiatric symptoms at two weeks after stroke. Methods : For 412 stroke patients, stroke severity was evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS), disability by the Barthel Index(BI) and modified Rankin Scale(mRS), cognitive function by the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination(K-MMSE), and muscle power by grip strength. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by Symptom check list-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), consisted of nine symptom domains : Somatization, Obsessive-compulsive, Interpersonal sensitivity, Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Phobic anxiety, Paranoid ideation, Psychoticism, and Additional items. The correlations between the neurological and psychiatric symptoms were investigated at the time of admission and before discharge(i.e. before and after treatment). Results : At the time of admission, NIHSS score was associated with scores on Phobic anxiety and Additional items ; and scores on BI and mRS were associated with Depression, Phobic anxiety and Additional items. At the time of discharge, NIHSS score was associated with scores on Somatization, Depression, Phobic anxiety, and Additional items ; scores on BI and mRS were associated with scores on Depression, Phobic anxiety and Additional items ; MMSE score was associated with Obsessive-compulsive, Depression, Phobic anxiety, and Additional items ; and grip strength was associated with Somatization, Depression, Anxiety and Additional items. Conclusions : More severe neurological symptoms were associated with higher psychiatric morbidity particularly in depression, phobic anxiety, sleep and appetite disturbance at acute stage of stroke. More intensive psychiatric care and intervention are needed for the high risk group.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2013

Objective : Sudden major cerebral artery occlusion often resists recanalization with currently available techniques or can results in massive symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanical recanalization with a retrievable self-expanding stent and balloon in acute intracranial artery occlusions. Methods : Twenty-eight consecutive patients with acute intracranial artery occlusions were treated with a Solitaire retrievable stent. Balloon angioplasty was added if successful recanalization was not achieved after stent retrieval. The angiographic outcome was assessed by Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) and the clinical outcomes were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results : At baseline, mean age was 69.4 years and mean initial NIHSS score was 12.5. A recanalization to TICI 2 or 3 was achieved in 24 patients (85%) after stent retrieval. Successful recanalization was achieved after additional balloon angioplasty in 4 patients. At 90-day follow-up, 24 patients (85%) had a NIHSS improvement of ${\geq}4$ and 17 patients (60%) had a good outcome (mRS ${\leq}2$). Although there was sICH, there was one death associated with the procedure. Conclusion : Mechanical thromboembolectomy with a retrievable stent followed by additional balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective first-line therapy for acute intracranial artery occlusions especially in case of unsuccessful recanalization after stent thrombectomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate the surgical efficacy of and factors associated with decompressive craniectomy in patients with an internal carotid artery (ICA) territory infarction. Methods : Seventeen patients (8 men and 9 women, average age 61.53 years, range 53-77 years) were treated by decompressive craniectomy for an ICA territory infarction at our institute. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, radiological findings, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at presentation and before surgery. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : Of the 17 patients, 15 (88.24%) achieved a poor outcome (Group A, GOS 1-3) and 2 (11.76%) a good outcome (Group B, GOS 4-5). The mortality rate at one month after surgery was 52.9%. Average preoperative NIHSS was $27.6{\pm}10.88%$ in group A and $10{\pm}4.24%$ in group B. Mean cerebral infarction fraction at the septum pellucidum level before surgery in group A and B were 33.67% and 23.72%, respectively. Mean preoperative NIHSS (p=0.019) and cerebral infarction fraction at the septum pellucidum level (p=0.017) were found to be significantly associated with a better outcome. However, no preexisting prognostic factor was found to be of statistical significance. Conclusion : The rate of mortality after ICA territory infarction treatment is relatively high, despite positive evidence for surgical decompression, and most survivors experience severe disabilities. Our findings caution that careful consideration of prognostic factors is required when considering surgical treatment.